Which is to say that Mother Nature's warm wet of recent days
melted much of winter's weight and dampened avalanche danger
considerably. Although plows are critical in clearing the road each
spring, the route cannot be opened until avalanche danger from
above subsides. Generally, that means a string of warm days that
unleashes the avalanches or melts the snowpack into a settled
base.

"We have consulted with our avalanche specialists and have
personally inspected the upper roadway," Holm said. "It is truly
amazing how much snow has melted just in the last two days."

Avalanche dangers, he said, have diminished considerably.

"However, given the very nature of the Sun Road, we always urge
travelers to watch for falling rock, ice, debris and other
potential hazards along this historic road," he said. "We also urge
park visitors not to park or stand under large snowbanks as 'tip
outs' can occur where snow breaks away from existing roadside
snowbanks and may fall onto the roadway."

Snow and rock doubtless will continue to pile up on the road, he
said, and crews will work to sweep away the debris early each
morning.

Friday afternoon, when the road opened, the pass was wrapped in
low clouds, with weather forecasts calling for more clouds and rain
Saturday. Sunday's skies were expected to clear.

The earliest Mother Nature ever released the road to tourists
was 1987, when it opened on May 16. The latest was last year, when
late-season snows clogged the highway until June 28.

On average, the road opens about June 8, one week later than
this year's opening day.

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